In 2004, journalist Cristina Dissat created a blog to follow in real time what was happening around the Maracanã stadium. From the eighth floor of her apartment, almost on the corner of the Maracanã, she observed the surroundings before, during, and after the games. Immediately, with her notebook computer, she published the information on Fim de Jogo (Game Over). “I would stay near the balcony, or in the bedroom, and even in the service area that faces the other side of the street. It depends on where I need to write. Once, the commotion was in Praça Niterói and I could only see it from the service area. The computer ended up on top of the washing machine,” explains Cristina.
The blog practices what's called citizen journalism. She's a Flamengo supporter, but she's always there, no matter the size of the event. From a high-profile Brazilian national team game to a bland Cabofriense vs. Madureira match, and even the Pan American Games, she always reports what she sees. Those who visit Fim de Jogo can find information not shown on pay-per-view cable TV channels: the activity at the Maracanã stadium ticket booths, parking conditions, any conflicts in the surrounding streets, and, after the game, how the fans are dispersing. "I'm a Flamengo supporter, but I try to be impartial in my broadcasts," she emphasizes.
The blog didn't even go on hiatus when the Maracanã stadium closed its doors in the months leading up to the Pan American Games. The news became focused on the progress of the construction and preparations for Rio 2007. Meanwhile, Cristina earned accreditation to cover all the news and press conferences of Suderj (Rio de Janeiro State Sports Authority). Recognition also came from Flamengo, who approached her for a partnership in actions of Gease-Fla, a committee that monitors the safety and comfort conditions of fans in stadiums. Flamengo granted the blog accreditation to work inside the stadium during Flamengo's games. Today, Cristina has accreditation from ACERJ, the association of sports journalists. During the 90 minutes, she does her work from the press box. Before and after, she wanders around with her smartphone and netbook and publishes reports on Twitter.
To handle so much work, Cristina relies on a network of collaborators. Starting with her family. Her husband, photographer Celso Pupo, contributes with images and, through a radio, transmits information directly from the streets. Her sons André and Daniel help their mother maintain the blog and are enthusiastic volunteers. Not to mention the help from friends – journalists or not – with emails, phone calls or text messages, and even from neighbors and strangers.
Despite the name, the blog's coverage starts early. On the mornings of important games, such as the Carioca Championship finals, the team goes out into the streets to observe the arrival of the first fans. The first post was published at noon, four hours before kickoff. The last one only appeared when silence fell over the neighborhood. However, those who visit the site during the week could check out several reports on ticket sales at the box offices.
Throughout his more than five-year career, the most memorable experience occurred during the Copa do Brasil finals in 2006, between Flamengo and Vasco. "The scene of thousands of fans trying to enter the stadium, with mounted police officers everywhere, the police helicopter flying low, kicking up dust and with its spotlights on, was a mixture of panic and fascination. For me, those were the most impressive coverages," he recounts.
Not even the closure of the Maracanã stadium in the coming years, in preparation for the 2014 World Cup, discourages Cris. "I'm going to the Engenhão stadium. I've already been doing reconnaissance there. Now, as a sports journalist, I can go inside the stadium and continue the coverage from there. That's why Twitter is fundamental for me. I also intend to keep everyone informed about the works at the Maracanã," he says.
According to Cris, many Flamengo fans follow her. "The post-game visitation is always higher on Flamengo game days."
Get to know the Endgame
Blog -
www.fimdejogo.com.br
Twitter -
http://www.twitter.com/fimdejogo
The blog practices what's called citizen journalism. She's a Flamengo supporter, but she's always there, no matter the size of the event. From a high-profile Brazilian national team game to a bland Cabofriense vs. Madureira match, and even the Pan American Games, she always reports what she sees. Those who visit Fim de Jogo can find information not shown on pay-per-view cable TV channels: the activity at the Maracanã stadium ticket booths, parking conditions, any conflicts in the surrounding streets, and, after the game, how the fans are dispersing. "I'm a Flamengo supporter, but I try to be impartial in my broadcasts," she emphasizes.
The blog didn't even go on hiatus when the Maracanã stadium closed its doors in the months leading up to the Pan American Games. The news became focused on the progress of the construction and preparations for Rio 2007. Meanwhile, Cristina earned accreditation to cover all the news and press conferences of Suderj (Rio de Janeiro State Sports Authority). Recognition also came from Flamengo, who approached her for a partnership in actions of Gease-Fla, a committee that monitors the safety and comfort conditions of fans in stadiums. Flamengo granted the blog accreditation to work inside the stadium during Flamengo's games. Today, Cristina has accreditation from ACERJ, the association of sports journalists. During the 90 minutes, she does her work from the press box. Before and after, she wanders around with her smartphone and netbook and publishes reports on Twitter.
To handle so much work, Cristina relies on a network of collaborators. Starting with her family. Her husband, photographer Celso Pupo, contributes with images and, through a radio, transmits information directly from the streets. Her sons André and Daniel help their mother maintain the blog and are enthusiastic volunteers. Not to mention the help from friends – journalists or not – with emails, phone calls or text messages, and even from neighbors and strangers.
Despite the name, the blog's coverage starts early. On the mornings of important games, such as the Carioca Championship finals, the team goes out into the streets to observe the arrival of the first fans. The first post was published at noon, four hours before kickoff. The last one only appeared when silence fell over the neighborhood. However, those who visit the site during the week could check out several reports on ticket sales at the box offices.
Throughout his more than five-year career, the most memorable experience occurred during the Copa do Brasil finals in 2006, between Flamengo and Vasco. "The scene of thousands of fans trying to enter the stadium, with mounted police officers everywhere, the police helicopter flying low, kicking up dust and with its spotlights on, was a mixture of panic and fascination. For me, those were the most impressive coverages," he recounts.
Not even the closure of the Maracanã stadium in the coming years, in preparation for the 2014 World Cup, discourages Cris. "I'm going to the Engenhão stadium. I've already been doing reconnaissance there. Now, as a sports journalist, I can go inside the stadium and continue the coverage from there. That's why Twitter is fundamental for me. I also intend to keep everyone informed about the works at the Maracanã," he says.
According to Cris, many Flamengo fans follow her. "The post-game visitation is always higher on Flamengo game days."
Get to know the Endgame
Blog -
www.fimdejogo.com.br
Twitter -
http://www.twitter.com/fimdejogo